Skip to main content
Job Posting

Scientific Director, Gastroenterology, Medical Affairs Unit 2, Japan Medical Office / ジャパンメディカルオフィス メディカルアフェアーズユニット2 消化器系疾患(GI)領域 サイエンティフィックダイレクター (SD)

Tokyo, Tokyo
Apply Now

As the #1 pharmaceutical company in Japan, we have a reputation for being a top employer and bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients. Under strong leadership, employees working in our Japan Pharma Business Unit (JPBU) influence the healthcare system and are meeting the critical unmet needs of patients throughout the country.

As Takeda grows its market share in Japan and around the world, our company is evolving. We are building a business model driven by highly innovative medicines, pipeline, and digital technologies. To continue to lead the pharmaceutical industry in Japan, while expanding our trusted reputation globally, we are hiring professionals who want to contribute and help in the pursuit of potentially life-changing treatments for patients.

As a vital member of our team, we offer competitive benefits, career development programs, career mobility, and a supportive, friendly work environment.

Job ID R0159252 Date posted 11/11/2025 Location Tokyo, Tokyo

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.  I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

Please note this job requires business level Japanese in speaking, writing, and reading. 

タケダの紹介

タケダは「世界中の人々の健康と輝かしい未来に貢献する」ことを企業の存在意義(パーパス)としています。そして目指す未来を共有しながら、一人ひとりが自分の可能性を引き出し、お互いの個性を認め合う、多様性にあふれた先進的な組織作りに取り組んでいます。私たちと一緒に、世界中の人々のいのちに貢献し、さらなる成長と活躍を目指しませんか。

タケダはグローバルな研究開発型のバイオ医薬品のリーディングカンパニーです。従業員は創業時から受け継いできたタケダの価値観であるタケダイズム(誠実=公正・正直・不屈)を道しるべとしながら、患者さんに寄り添い(Patient)人々と信頼関係を築き(Trust)社会的評価を向上させ(Reputation)持続可能な事業を発展させる(Business)を日々の行動指針としています。

”Better Health for People, Brighter Future for the World” is the purpose of a company. We aim to create a diverse and inclusive organization where people can thrive, grow and realize their own potential while enabling our purpose. We continue to innovate and drive changes that will transform the lives of patients. We’re looking for like-minded professionals to join us.

Takeda is a global values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader. We are guided by our values of Takeda-ism, which has been passed down since the company’s founding. Takeda-ism incorporates Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance, with Integrity at the core. They are brought to life through actions based on Patient-Trust-Reputation-Business, in this order.

Introduction of Recruitment Department
This role will provide leadership in achieving the vision within the Immunology therapeutic area (TA) by applying and integrating patients’ needs, environmental trends and latest scientific knowledge, to ensure optimal benefit for our patients, earning the trust of society and other customers through Takedaism.
The primary role of the Scientific Director (SD) is to ensure understanding and maintain confidence in the scientific evidence for and correct use of Takeda’s products, thus the SD will define the precise scientific engagement strategy, collaborate with the cross-functional stakeholders to set goals and milestones and ensure compliant execution of the medical affairs scientific exchange activities as well as excellence in standards and practices.
The SD will partner with the relevant Medical Director (MD) to provide strategic input into the communication of the current scientific evidence, competitive intelligence and medical insights on the specific therapeutic area medical plan.
This role will work alongside the MD in the management and training of the Medical Excellence Hub for launch products and/or specific center of excellence (CoE) for inline products. In certain situations, the SD may have to provide oversight and supervision of the Hub or CoE, as directed by the Medical Affairs
Unit (MAU) head and perform a role similar to the MD except for clinical monitoring activities.

Job Description (ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Design and execute strategic proposition for the TA-specific medical plan, e.g., Scientific exchange, Medical Conference (MC), Advisory Board Meeting (ABM), Medical Affairs Booth (MAB), etc. in collaboration with Medical & Scientific Information and Communication (MSIC) and Medical Engagement (ME) teams

  • Provide input and support (or if acting as MD, lead the design and) the development of
    evidence generation plans of the medical plan.

  • Manage the scientific exchange activities and projects in accordance with the MAU strategies and plans

  • Lead and/or participate in the development and implementation of ABM, Sponsored symposium, Stand-alone medical conferences (SAMC), expert meetings (EM) and round table meetings in collaboration with Medical Engagement (ME) teams and MD.

  • Identify appropriate stakeholders to effectively address and execute objectives of medical plan and engage with these stakeholders as required.

  • Partner with the MD to analyze competitive intelligence of the TA healthcare environment (i.e. healthcare system, competitors, regulatory requirements within and outside Japan, clinical development plan, life cycle management insights from ME team) and incorporate those on the scientific exchange strategies and tactical plans.

  • Optimize medical plan involving ME activities (or evidence generation activities if acting as MD for the product) at the Medical Matrix Team (MMT) to obtain necessary agreement for execution of work

  • Co-chairs the Product Strategy Team (PST) in order to ensure alignment with crossfunctional teams and commercial counterparts based on brand strategy of the relevant product

  • Act as back-up to MD at Medical Strategy Team (MST) or act as a representative of JMO in those committee meetings

Application Requirements
<Education>
PhD, PharmD, pharmacist, nursing, or other scientific degree, or currently studying these subjects for a master’s degree or PhD
<Work Experience>
• Expertise in relevant disease or therapeutic area
• At least 3 years of relevant medical affairs and/or clinical affairs experience
Clinical and scientific understanding of clinical studies, evidence generation and data evaluation etc.
• Awareness of the healthcare environment in Japan and needs of external customers
<Skills and Qualifications>
• Excellent medical engagement skills
• Management skills: Leadership/Ownership/Decision making/Visioning/Communication Professional skills (One of the following): Project Management, Study planning, CRA/PMS monitoring, Data Management, biostatistics, Medical Writing, Regulatory affairs
<Language>
Excellent English skills
• Ability to understand and implement foreign pharmaceutical regulations and procedures
• Ability to work with Global Partners
<Others>
3 days/week, or at least 2/3 of a month, for those who can work in an office.

The kind of person we are looking for

Those who have strong scientific leadership, strategic capability, business acumen and collaborative mindset with various stakeholders.

Those who are recognized by others as having strengths in listening, nurturing, and support.

Job satisfaction

  • Realize contribution to medical care through scientific confirmation of safety/efficacy of drugs.

  • Realize the value of human resources, as this is a position directly responsible for human resource development.


Skills and experience acquired in this position
• Scientific planning, judgment, and consideration Ability to develop human resources and organizational management
(Transformation/Revamp/Grow)

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

  • Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

  • Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year

  • Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45

  • Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

  • Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

  • Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework

  • Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

  • It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

  • It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

Locations

Tokyo, Japan

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time
Apply Now

The History of Takeda

A Global Top Employer Recognized for our culture and way of working, we’re one of only 15 companies to receive Top Global Employer® status for 2024.

Working at Takeda

  • Inclusion

    Here, you will feel welcomed, respected, and valued as a vital contributor to our global team.
  • Collaboration

    A strong, borderless team, we strive together towards our priorities and inspiring mission.
  • Innovation

    Bold initiatives, continuous improvement, and creativity are at the heart of how we bring scientific breakthroughs from the lab to patients.
  • Top Workplace

    Recognized for our culture and way of working, we’re one of only 17 companies to receive Top Global Employer® status for 2025.
  • Work-Life

    Our people-first mission extends beyond patients to include their families, communities, and our own Takeda family.
  • Empowerment

    Through trust and respect, you will have genuine support from leaders, managers, and colleagues to do your best work.

We're Steadfast In Our Commitment to Four Key Imperatives

Patient


Responsibly translate science into highly innovative medicines and accelerate access to improve lives worldwide.

People


Create an exceptional people experience.

Planet


Protect our planet.

Data & Digital


Transform Takeda into the most trusted, data-driven, outcomes-based biopharmaceutical company.

What we believe in

Our values of Takeda-ism are Integrity, Fairness, Honesty and Perseverance, with Integrity as the core. These are brought to life through actions based on Patient, Trust, Reputation and Business, in that order.

Our belief in putting people first extends beyond our patients — it includes their families and communities, as well as our Takeda colleagues and their families.

We are committed to embracing our differences, valuing different perspectives, and fostering a culture of respect, inclusiveness and empowerment.

Our embedded Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategy enables us to attract and retain exceptional talent, drives innovation, and helps address systemic inequalities in our communities.

  • Integrity

  • Fairness

  • Honesty

  • Perseverance

Exterior of Takeda Building

About our location